Life

Constantine Frantzis was born in 1942 in the town of Agiassos on the island of Lesbos in the northeastern Aegean Sea. After having completed his secondary education, Constantine studied at the Higher Ecclesiastical Tutorial Kalamata. In 1962, he entered the Theological School of Halki, graduating in 1966.

In June 1965, Constantine was ordained a deacon, receiving the name Iakovos, followed in September with his ordination to the priesthood, Father Iakovos served as the Preacher at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin and later of the Metropolis of Mytiline. In 1968, he was installed as abbot of the monastery, a position he served in until 1970. During the following years, Fr. Iakovos served as Vicar General and Vicar of Mytiline as well as a number of other positions within the Metropolis of Mytiline including the position of chancellor from 1976.